Massachusetts' Most and Least Taxed Municipalities: Did Chelmsford Make The List?
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue just released their latest figures, what they they found could surprise you.
As 2013 begins, property tax rates are increasing for residents across Massachusetts, and they will be in Chelmsford as well, with residential, commercial and industrial property tax rates rising from $17.49 to $17.95 per thousand dollars of appraised value
Statewide, the average residential rate was $14.38, the average commercial rate was $17.94 and the average industrial rate was $17.69.
Compared to other 334 communities in the Commonwealth with set tax rates for the 2013 Fiscal Year, Westford had the 292th lowest residential rate, the 207th lowest commercial rate and the 208th lowest industrial rate.
Here's how the towns adjacent to Chelmsford as well as the communities on the list with the highest and lowest rates. (NOTE: We've checked the five lowest industrial rates among communities that have industrial rates. Six communities have no industrial property taxes)
Lowest Residential Rates
| Alford | 4.35 |
| Tyringham | 6.00 |
| Truro | 6.02 |
| Orleans | 6.10 |
| Wellfleet | 6.41 |
Highest Residential Rates
| Longmeadow | 21.54 |
| Bolton | 20.96 |
| Greenfield | 20.72 |
| Sharon | 20.45 |
| Amherst | 20.39 |
Lowest Commercial Rates
| Chilmark | 2.29 |
| Hancock | 2.84 |
| Edgartown | 3.55 |
| Aquinnah | 4.32 |
| Alford | 4.35 |
Highest Commercial Rates
| Everett | 43.04 |
| Framingham | 39.98 |
| Holyoke | 39.97 |
| Swampscott | 35.02 |
| Holbrook | 34.96 |
Lowest Industrial Rates
| Chilmark | 2.29 |
| Hancock | 2.84 |
| Edgartown | 3.55 |
| Alford | 4.35 |
| West Tisbury | 5.26 |
Highest Industrial Rates
| Everett | 43.04 |
| Framingham | 39.98 |
| Holyoke | 39.97 |
| Swampscott | 35.02 |
| Holbrook | 34.96 |
Nearby
| Name | Residential | Commercial | Industrial |
| Carlisle | 17.68 | 17.68 | 17.68 |
| Tyngsborough | 16.19 | 16.19 | 16.19 |
| Lowell | 15.01 | 31.32 | 31.32 |
| Billerica | 14.31 | 32.89 | 32.89 |
| Westford | 16.13 | 16.38 | 16.38 |
Don Desfosse
8:06 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
I cannot fathom that our tax rates are higher than Carlisle and Westford! I remember a couple of decades ago we were a "high value" town -- low tax rates compared to our neighbors and outstanding support for the schools. I'm afraid I don't see the tremendous value anymore.... That scares me -- I was a proud product of the Chelmsford school system and made sure my kids were going to be raised here because I believed in the town and the schools. I don't have all the answers, but this data affirms this nagging feeling in my gut that we aren't the high value town that we once were.... That said, I'll keep working to improve the situation as best I can!
Bill Cody
8:57 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
Hard to believe when looking at schools. Chelmsford hasn't built a new school in thirty years. mcCarthy a disgrace. Westford has several new schools and a refurbished high school with a performing arts center far superior to ours in Chelmsfor. Where is money going?
fatty arbuckle
9:10 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
dunno? Chelmsford did get a free ice rink from the state, not a lot of towns can claim that!